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YZ D R A 



THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 

NKW YORK • BOSTON • CHICAGO • DALLAS 
ATLANTA • SAN FRANCISCO 

MACMILLAN & CO., Limited 

LONDON • BOMBAY • CALCUTTA 
MELBOURNE 

THE MACMILLAN CO. OF CANADA, Ltd. 

TOKONTO 



YZDRA 



A T r a g e dy 



BY 
LOUIS V. LEDOUX 



A NEW EDITION, REVISED 



THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 
1917 

All rights reserved 



i»i In 



f'- 



Copyright, 1907 and 1917, 
By LOUIS V. LEDOUX. 

English Copyright Performance giyen Wyndham's Theatre, London, 
March 26, 1908, 

Entered at Stationers' Hall, London. 
All rights rhsbrved. 

For permission to perform this play application must be 
made to the author in care of the publishers. 

New edition, revised, April, 191 7. 



APR -5 ie!7 



Norintiali ^ress 

J. 8. Gushing Co. — Berwick & Smith Co. 

Norwood, Mass., U.S.A. 



S)CID 46564 



TO 

MY MOTHER 



NOTE 

This play is founded upon a story told in the 
Secreta Secretoruniy a book which falsely purports 
to be Aristotle's manual of advice to Alexander. 

An English version which dates from about 
1400, gives the legend as follows : 

Alexander, thynk of ye doynge of ye Quene of 
Inde whenne she sente to the, by cause to haue 
thy frendschipe, many presentes and noble gyftes 
amonge ye whilke a full fair mayden was sent to 
the that of her childhood drank and was norschyd 
with venyms yn-so-mekyl that her kynde was 
turned to ye kynde of serpentys. . . . And cer- 
tainly, but thou hadde ben warnyd by me there- 
of, thy seluyn hadde takyn deed, thurgh ye hete 
of fleschly kennynge with here.^ 

1 For any who may be curious in the matter an account of 
the origin and literary fortunes of this story is given at the 
close of the volume. 



Vll 



CHARACTERS 

Indians : 

PoROS Emperor of that portion 

of India now known 
as the Central Punjab. 

The Prince His son. 

A Brahman. 

Rajah of Abhisara. 

Half-witted Boy, who serves as a Jester. 

Messengers. 

Yzdra's Nurse. 

YzDRA Daughter of Poros. 

Greeks : 

Heph^stion Alexander's favourite 

General. 

Proteas A follower of the camp. 

A Page. 

A Slave. 

Alexander the Great. 

Time: 326 B.C. 

The action takes place in various parts of India. 



IX 



ACT I 



YZDRA 

ACT I 

Scene I 

THE THRONE-ROOM IN THE PALACE OF POROS 

The Prince and the Rajah are playing at dice; 
others are watching the game and lounging about 
the room. Some lean over the players in excite- 
ment. The Prince rises angrily. 

Prince., I play no more ! The time is evil- 
starred, 
And dice have been the bondage of my house. 
I play no more. 

Raj. My Lord, the luck may change. 

Prince. Again I say the time is evil-starred. 
Last night portentous omens broke my rest; 
A wailing jackal would not let me sleep; 

3 



4 YZDRA ACT I 

And once I rose from hidden dreams to see 

If yet the golden car of Surya climbed 

The East, when lo ! a raven, croaking, passed. 

I know not what may hap, but this I know, — 

Some fate impendeth in the womb of time, 

Some evil fate, with darkness fraught and doom, 

Whose shadow now above our royal halls 

Hangs cloud-like, with its lightnings still in leash ; 

But where or how or when the bolt may fall 

I cannot tell. 

Raj. When lightning strikes, 'tis said 

To choose the tallest trees. 

Prince. For this I fear 

The gods have sent misfortune's mandate stern 
To me, or to my Sire, whose royal head 
O'ertops our empire in its sovereignty. 

Raj. Perchance a war with Taxiles; per- 
chance 
This Grecian Alexander who has come 
Through Persia conquering. 



sc. I YZDRA 5 

Prince. Perchance 'tis he. 

The Greeks, indeed, draw near. 

{Enter an aged Brahman with two or three 
disciples following.) 

To you I bow. 
Most holy Sage. Your blessing now I crave. 

{The Brahman gives his blessing.) 
We wait the King. 

Brah. I join his council here 

And speak to them of oracles fulfilled. 

Raj. My Lord, the King is even now at 
hand. 

{The sound of trumpets is heard and the King 
enters in state with the tributary kings who have a 
row of thrones on the left and lower down than that 
of PoROS ; behind each is an ensign-bearer. Then 
follow the counsellors, bow-bearers , javelin-bearers, 
etc. PoROS ascends an ivory throne, the arms of 
which are fashioned as elephants with jewelled 
eyes. Behind is a canopy of peacock plumes. 



6 YZDRA ACT I 

The Prince goes to a throne on the right, opposite 
the tributary kings. All how low while PoROS 
ascends.) 

Prince. All hail the warlike Poros ! 

All. Hail! All-hail! 

(Poros motions the Brahman to an empty seat 
beside the Prince and close to the throne, and, as 
he approaches it, stands to receive the benediction 
of Holy Water, the vessel containing which is 
handed up by one of the disciples. During the 
ceremony all bow low as before. Then, at a sign 
from one of the officials, the trumpet sounds three 
times. The King rises.) 

PoR. Be welcome here, ye tributary Kings, 
Who, arch-like, prop our dome of sovereignty; 
We bid you welcome here as counsellors ; 
For oft while prudence searches devious ways, 
A hero grasps with tiger-spring the prize ; 
While wisdom weighs the chances, valour acts ; 
And action turns the balances of Fate. 



sc. I YZDRA , 7 

{The Rajah oj Abhisara, who occupies the 
throne nearest to PoROS, rises.) 

Raj. At your behest, dread Lord, once more 
we come, 
And own your lordship. Clouds are we, and you 
The lambent sun before whose face we shine 
With borrowed splendour. 

PoR. Most, indeed, to him 

Is welcome given to whom it most is due ; — 
Our sagest counsellor, our noblest friend. 
Who now from lonely meditation deigns 
To come and medicine our ignorance 
With wisdom's healing words. At his request 
Ourself and each whose voice of right is heard 
Are here assembled. All men know that he 
Has store of precious counsels hoarded safe 
Within his mind's rich casket. Jewels these, 
That Life, the miser, yields alone to him 
Who delves, unsatisfied with lesser good. 
Through years of patient toil in wisdom's mines, 



8 YZDRA ACT I 

As he has done; for all his life has passed 

In learning to distinguish good and ill, 

The real and unreal. He has watched the stars, 

And fathoming their courses learned of Brahm ; 

The sky has taught him and the populous earth 

To see below the myriad forms of life 

The broad foundation of eternal calm. 

All this we know ; yet still we lack the key 

That shall unlock his wisdom's guarded wealth : 

{To the Brahman.) 

We fain would learn the cause that brings us 

here. 
And wait your words ; {Turning to the others) 

but ere he speak, let all 
Save those who share our counsels pass without. 
{Towards the close of the King's speech a half- 
witted Jester, clad in fantastic garh, has crept 
up to the throne and seated himself on the steps.) 
Prince. Do you share the King's counsel } 
Jester. Aye, forsooth. Am I not worthy .? 



sc. I YZDRA 9 

Prince. Are you wiser than these ? {He 
motions toward those who are leaving.) 

Jester. I know to remain sober. 

Prince. Poor boy ! No one offers you wine. 

PoR. Enough of this ; peace, boy, peace. 

(Poros motions him to leave, but he steals in 
behind the others and overhears the conference.) 
Good sir, we wait to hear your wisdom speak, 
This fool has much abused our clemency. 

Brah. The lotus flowers have spread upon the 
streams, 
The Pleiades have risen, wheeled and set 
Some twenty seasons since the moonless night 
When I, observing fixedly the stars, 
Saw strange conjunctions spelling love and death, 
And ofl^ered sacrifice, whose omen told 
Of one new-born within the royal house 
Who held the fate of empires in her hand. 

Prince. Within the royal house ? 

Raj. What maid was that .? 



lO YZDRA ACT I 

Brah. No more I learned ; but marked within 
the West 
A warHke planet flaming through the sky 
That other stars grew pale and one went out, 
But passing burned a moment lurid, red. 

Prince. Could wisdom teach you what events 
might cast 
Such shadows on the calm blue eyes of night 
That look upon the world .? 

Brah. In doubt I left 

The deep seclusion of my forest life, 
And took the long untrodden path which led 
To where ye strove with unrealities. 

Raj. These unrealities seem real indeed, 
To us who strive, and striving win or lose. 
Your pardon, sir, I speak untutored words. 
But from the heart. 

Brah. Like soldiers ye are pressed 

By those around and see naught else ; but I, 
The chief, observe the general battle's plan. 



SC. I 



YZDRA 1 1 



Ye strive for present vantage, I for good unseen. 

Prince. Yet both perchance are naught. 
Who knows ^ 

PoR. We wander from our purpose. Sir, 
speak on. 

Brah. I moved through darkness onward, till 
the dawn 
Came stealing pallid up a cold grey East, 
When met me runners telling how the Queen, 
In dying, bore a maid of matchless form, 
Divinely fashioned in her babyhood. 

Prince. My hidden sister ! I was then a 
child. 
But do remember dimly. Lives she yet ? 

PoR. She lives, but I have never seen her face. 

Raj. But why is that ? 

PoR. The gods demanded her 

And I did yield, though much against my will. 

Brah. I ojfFered sacrifice to read her fate, 
But sudden blindness fell upon my sight ; 



12 YZDRA ACT I 

In trance I stood and tranced thus I spoke : 

** The gods have willed the tender maid should grow 

In solitude, on poisons fed until 

She gains their power, and this in time shall be J* 

Raj. On poisons fed, to grow a poisonous thing ! 

Prince. On poisons ! Sire, to rear a Princess 
thus 
Is horrible ! 

PoR. Yet thus the gods decreed 

She should be reared ; and I obeyed their will. 
On poisons she was fed. 

Raj. ^ But for what end ? 

PoR. The gods no reasons gave. 

Brah. At least not then. 

For on my eyes the day returning rolled ; 
I knew no more. The King remembers well 
My words oracular, but ye are strange 
To these most sure events I now relate. 

Por. Aye, well do I remember; and the babe 
Was given in charge unto a skilful nurse. 



sc. I YZDRA 13 

By this same Brahman brought. They took her 

hence, 
And send report each year of how the maid, 
To fuller stature grown, grows still more fair. 

Brah. As wise as fair, for I have taught her 
much. 

PoR. At last her youth has bloomed to woman- 
hood 
More strangely beautiful than Love itself; 
But so her life is with the poison charged 
That death to man within her kisses lurks. 

Brah. The King speaks truth, her kiss is 
present death ; 
She kills with sweetness like a poisoned flower. 

Prince. This is an awful thing. 

Raj. And very strange. 

Prince. I almost doubt its truth. 

Brah. Yet true it is. 

Raj. But have you any proof? 

Brah. We need no proof. 



14 YZDRA ACT I 

Who dares to doubt the very words of God ? 

PoR. Not long ago she kissed a little child. 
And some few hours thereafter, lo ! it died. 

Raj. It might have had the fever. Ah ! my 
Lord, 
Believe it not ; it passes all belief. 

Brah. 'Tis impious to doubt ! 

PoR. I am convinced. 

Raj. The fever was abroad ; and thus it kills ; 
And yet this death confirms the oracle. 

Prince. It must indeed be true. 

PoR. The truth is clear ; 

But what the further will of Siva plans 
We now shall know; and whose the hapless lot 
To cull this deadly flower of loveliness. 

Jester. {Aside.) 
Oh, horrible ! horrible ! I pray Siva that she be 
not preserved for me. 

Brah. Now come we to the point : three 
nights ago 



sc. I YZDRA 15 

A dream disturbed my rest with presage dark, 
That thus I do interpret; Persia's king, 
The Grecian Alexander, eastward leads 
His conquering armies. Men and power are his — 
The Macedonian phalanx none can face; 
Besides, the gods of Hellas grant him youth 
With riper wisdom tempered ; courage, skill. 
And steadfast purpose. Now, let Poros send 
To him the maid, enrobed in loveliness, 
To offer friendship from our kingdom's chief, 
And bind in marriage bonds himself to us. 
Thus wisdom reaches where your valour fails ; 
The youth is amorous and frank withal. 
And would accept such offers frankly made. 
If backed with other gifts befitting kings ; 
But let him once her poisonous kisses taste 
He dies a present death — most sure and swift. 
PoR. No need of this ! I fear not any man ; 
Much less this Grecian. What have we to fear 
Who lead against him fifty thousand men 



l6 YZDRA ACT I 

With chariots and elephants ! Could he 
With used, wayworn troops, afar from home, 
Defeat our army and subdue ourself ? 
'Twere madness thus to think ! I will not stoop 
To crave alliance with this upstart youth, 
Who smote the Medes in beds of perfumed ease, 
And knows not how a warrior people fight. 
We wait his coming. Should he dare to come 
We meet him battling manlike, face to face. 
We fear him not ; what says our valiant son ? 

(During this speech, the Rajah and the tributary 
kings have shown signs of approval. The Prince 
has stood in deep thought.) 

Raj. {Aside.) Though valorous in action, 
slow to strike, 
I fear his counsel. 

Prince. {Slowly and thoughtfully.) Sire, your 
words are just; 
Before your age, your wisdom and your throne 
I bow submissive, yet my thought finds voice. 



sc. I YZDRA 17 

Tis rashness more than bravery to fight 
Unnecessary battles, risking thus, 
Through pride, our subjects, wealth and empery; 
And when the gods have shown in oracles — 
By him made manifest who speaks their will — 
The way to cope with present circumstance. 
To choose another means were blasphemous 
And fraught with swift disaster : gods avenge. 
Raj. My Liege, till now has Taxiles alone 
With unsubmissive eyes beheld your reign ; 
Your only foe was he ; your only dread ; 
And first to him must Alexander come 
In marching eastward from the bounds of Ind. 
Then, like an eagle when two lions fight. 
Will you, unscathed, behold the bloody strife ; 
Until upon the victor, torn and weak. 
You swoop with conquering pinions. Thus, my 

Lord, 
Your foes defeat each other ; yours the spoils. 
PoR. Let Taxiles and Alexander fight ! 



c 



1 8 YZDRA ACT I 

We, sitting watchful, strike when both are weak. 
No need to bend our royal dignity 
Before young Macedon. 
{To the Brahman.) 

Your pardon, sir. 
That thus we plan our present policy. 
Observing not your precepts. Thanks we give. 
And reverence. Your wisdom passes ours 
But not in this. 

Brah. Nay, hear me speak ; the 

gods 

PoR. You have not read in this their will aright. 
Our choice is clear. 

Raj. And just. 

Prince. My Father, pause ! 

PoR. {Rising.) I overrule all further con- 
ference. 

{Enter a messenger hastily. He is soiled with 
travel. He hows and Poros motions him to speak.) 

Messenger. Taxiles has received Alexander 



sc. I YZDRA 19 

into his capital and has formed an alliance with 
him for the purpose of conquering our kingdom. 
They are already collecting reinforcements, but 
the Grecian plans to rest his army for some weeks 
before starting. 

Brah. The gods are swift avengers. 

Prince. Ah, the gods ! 

{The Rajah and the tributary kings look dum- 
founded.) 

Raj. With Taxiles and Alexander both 
We cannot cope. 

PoR. Our will is overruled 

By Siva's will. The maiden shall be sent; 
Let some provide a stately embassage 
And fitting gifts. Abhisara shall lead. 
{To the Brahman.) Do you instruct the 

Princess in our will, 
But let her not suspect her poisonous power. 

{He hows to the Brahman and then, as the cur- 
tain falls, he goes out followed by his train,) 



Scene II 

A JASMINE BOWER UNDER A BLOSSOMING MANGO 
TREE, OUTSIDE THE FOREST HOME OF 
YZDRA. A PRACTICABLE DOOR ON THE 
RIGHT. MOONLIGHT. 

(YzDRA discovered walking about and talking to 
the Nurse, who sits at the base of the tree.) 

Yz. The night has laid once more its soothing 
hand 
Upon the eyes of Life. I sometimes dream 
That love is like the moonlight after day — 
A touch of peace; and then the lightning flash 
Seems like to love, — this love I have not known 
But fain would know. Ah me ! My heart is sick 
To-night. I long — and yet for what I long 
I cannot tell. 

{She moves about touching the flowers tenderly.) 
The placid moonlight rests 

20 



sc. II YZDRA 21 

Upon my jasmine flowers that gleam like stars; 
The timid fawns, the birds are all at peace, 
Save only Bulbul, who with passionate heart 
Still yearns, and yearning cries across the night 
A sadness undefined that answers mine. 
How beautiful is this our forest home, 
Where every season brings some fresh delight ! 
And yet I find no more the old content 
In birds and flowers, the moonlight and the dawn. 
{After a pause she goes over to the Nurse, kneels 
down and starts to put her cheek against the Nurse's. 
The Nurse shrinks away and pushes her back.) 
My life is incomplete, it something lacks ; 
Perchance this very love I dream about. 
Would I be happy could I feel a kiss — 
A warrior's kisses burning on my lips. 
Strong hands about my breasts; a man's strong 

hands 
And not like his — the only man I know ? 
This Brahman makes me shudder, yet is kind. 



22 YZDRA ACT I 

Nurse. It may be even now a lover comes. 

Yz. {Playfully.) Who seeks for me alone 
throughout the world ? 

{The Nurse makes an ill-tempered gesture oj 
assent.) 

And Kama's shafts at last shall sting in me 
No more a girl, but woman fully grown ? 

{Enter the Brahman. He hears the last lines.) 

Brah. You dream of love ; I love's fulfilment 
bring. 

{He blesses her. The Nurse goes into the 
house.) 

Yz. With blessing, holy sage, your pardon give 
That thus my inmost mind is disarrayed, 
And all my heart disclosed to your ear. 
Accept, although delayed, no less sincere 
A welcome. 

Brah. Fair you seem to-night, and pure 
As conquering souls that merge themselves in 
Brahm. 



sc. II YZDRA 23 

'Tis right a maiden's heart should dream of love, 
For so the gods have willed. These moonlit 

flowers 
With nature's incense fill the drowsy air; 
'Twere hard, my child, to leave so sweet a spot. 

Yz. Not hard for me ! I full confession make, 
Since you of half my counsel are aware; 
This solitude and silence pall me quite; 
A woman grown, I long for woman's life, 
To see the ways of cities and the court. 
To know the valiant princes of my race. 
To smile above the tourney, choosing out 
Some hero who will call me "Queen" and "Wife"; 
And after that to live as she of whom 
Our ancient writings speak, whose love was 

strong 
To bend relentless Yam a to its will. 
And bring her lord from death's domain to life. 
And then I long to do some worthy deed, 
Or service to the State. 



24 YZDRA ACT I 

Brah. Aye, that were good. 

Yz. 'Tis surely best to live and not to dream. 

Brah. {With double meaning, half to himself.) 
A maiden's dreams are far indeed from life. 

Yz. Full-well I know the blossoming of flowers, 
The Koel's cry, the rise and set of stars, 
But yet I miss the meaning of the world 
Off here alone ; of much rest ignorant. 
And much — yea, very much I lack. Good sir, 
My words are wild and may offend, but speak 
I must. 

Brah. Some deed of courage you would do ? 

Yz. To do is mine, to act ; for I am strong ; 
Yea, very strong, and was not born to watch 
The dull monotony of dawn and dusk 
In actionless placidity. There flows 
Within my veins a warrior-people's blood ; 
I long to live my life before men's eyes, — 
A princess of my house. 

Brah. What would you do .? 



I 



sc. II YZDRA 25 

Yz. What Siva plans for me — that would I 
do, 
But well I know I was not made for this 
Half-life, grown empty now of good or charm. 
I long to fill the days, to do some deed, 
And live in fame to future ages sung. 

Brah. You have been still a child, but now 
you seem 
A very woman, yea, a queen indeed. 

Yz. Part girl, part woman, and part man I 
think. 
But all alive with youth and eagerness 
To do and dare, to live, and greatly love. 
Ah, life I crave with all its splendid chance. 
Its days of action and its nights of love ; 
Not this poor shadow-world wherein I faint; 
Yet know my strength. 

Brah. What further would you 

ask 
Or tell ? 



26 YZDRA ACT I 

Yz. The nurse, who loved me well of old, 
Has acted strangely toward me ; now no more 
She lets me nestle close, or kiss her cheek, 
As was my wont. And once, not long ago — 
It was the day I found the first spring rose — 
There came a child, who, heeding not his way. 
Had hither roamed. I took the baby up 
And held it to my heart and kissed its lips. 
When lo ! my nurse came running in affright. 
And snatched it from me; then, before the 

dusk, 
A fearful sickness through its body stole ; 
And when the morning bloomed I found it dead. 
But she avoids my questions, tells me naught. 

{Enter Nurse.) 
I ask you this : Why did she snatch it so ? 

Brah. The fever kills thus swiftly oftentimes. 

Yz. But why must I, a woman, live deprived 
Of full-orbed life and love .? You cage me here 
By what authority \ By whose design ? 



sc. 11 YZDRA 27 

Nurse. This life she craves bears bitter fruit 

for her. 
Brah. My Yzdra, now has come the time of 
your 
Releasement ; now I lead you out toward life, 
That seems so beautiful when seen afar — 
Toward life and love. 

Yz. Toward love ? Oh tell me who ! 

What way of life is mine, what happy fate .? 
Brah. With you I go to seek an emperor 
Who rules o'er half the world — a valiant man 
And young; to him would Poros give your hand,* 
A bond of firm alliance 'tween the states. 
The rest I shall unfold within the house. 

Nurse. {Aside.) A bond of death ! I would 

not have his lot. 
Yz. {Dreamily.) An emperoV, a valiant man, 
and young ! 
{Turning to him.) How could a maiden reared in 
forest ways 



28 YZDRA ACT I 

And ignorant of courts succeed to please 

A king like him — 

(Murmuring.) who rules o*er half the world ? 

Brah. a woman's instinct teaches more than 
courts. 

Yz. Held in my hand the folded flowers unclose 
Like woman's love from girlhood blossoming — 
A presage this of future happiness. 

Brah. I follow you within. 

Yz. Till then, farewell. 

(She bows for his blessing and then walks 
toward the house.) 

Brah. (To Nurse.) At court will Poros give 
you recompense. 
We shall not need you more. 

Yz. Can she not come ? 

Brah. You will not want her in the glad new 
life. 

Yz. Farewell, then, nurse, and give me joy at 
last. 



sc. II YZDRA 29 

(She goes up to embrace her. The Nurse 
shoves her away.) 

Nurse. Nay, touch me not. 
(To the Brahman.) I am well rid of this. 
I go to seek the King and claim my wage. 

Yz. You will not say "FarewelF' .? 

(The Nurse goes off toward the forest. Yzdra 
looks sadly after her for a moment.) 
What can it mean .? 

(Exit Yzdra into the house.) 

Brah. (After a pause. Watching her.) The 
ways of Fate are dark and hard to tread. 
(Enter Rajah.) : 

Raj. I trust she will be ready by the morn. 

Brah. Aye ! ready will she be, and glad she is 
To learn of life. 

Raj. Poor child ! She does not guess 

Her power .? 

Brah. No, and never shall guess till 
The deed is done; for all the retinue. 



30 YZDRA ACT I 

Except ourselves, are ignorant as she. 

Raj. I bring the King's provision to her house. 

Brah. Much yet remains to do; I go within. 

Raj. She must be kept aloof from all her 
maids. 

Brah. I will arrange for that. 

Raj. They come. Farewell. 

{Exeunt — the Brahman into the house and the 
Rajah toward the forest, in which torches are seen 
approaching. Attendants enter and carry equip- 
ments into the house. One of them leaves a spear he- 
side the door. After some have come out again, enter 
YzDKKfrom the house. Voices are heard within.) 

Yz. Oh, Life ! Life ! Life ! An emperor and 
young ; 
A valiant man ; and Persia's king as well. 
Have dreams come true .? My head is all awhirl. 
But why have I been kept till now, so long 
In solitude and ignorance ? Why must they still 
Slink sideways from my questions, tell me not 



sc. II YZDRA 31 

What most I seek to learn — why this has been ? 
There is some mystery; but now, ah, well! 
It does not matter now, for life is mine. 
But, soft ! for someone comes. 

{Enter the Jester from the forest.) 

{He appears frightened and dishevelled, and looks 
about him half timorously, half vacantly.) 

What wouldst thou here ? 

Jester. I followed on their track that I might 
see 
Them when they start. 

Yz. Who start, and who art thou ? 

Jester. It has been very dark, and far it seems 
From home. I wish that I were back again. 
What noise is that ? 

Yz. A beast that passed, no more. 

Jester. I wish that I were safely back again. 

Yz. Whence didst thou come .? 

Jester. I know not who you are. 

Yz. I am the Princess Yzdra ; who art thou .? 



32 YZDRA ACT I 

Jester. The Princess Yzdra ? 

Yz. Nay, it is not strange 

That thou hast never heard of me, for all 
My life till now has passed in solitude — 
Alone from infancy. 

Jester. {Not quite understanding hut remem- 
bering dimly.) In solitude ^ 
Alone ? (Yzdra moves toward him.) 

Yz. But tell me what thou seekest, then 
The Brahman here will teach us of the way. 

Jester. The Brahman ? You, alone } 

{She steps nearer to him and he shrinks away, 
but does not yet quite realize who she is.) 

Yz. I wonder why 

This boy seems so afraid of me. Poor thing ! 
The Princess I ; I would not hurt thee. Come. 

{He looks around as though wanting to run, and 
cowers hack against the tree.) 

Jester. The Princess! OfF! Standoff! 

Yz. Poor boy ! Poor boy ! 



sc. II YZDRA 33 

{As she moves still nearer to him, he seizes a stone 
as if to throw it at her.) 

In truth I would not hurt thee. See how kind 
I am. Thou seemest like a little child 
Whom I could hold beside me; almost kiss 
In pity. 

{He starts to throw the stone ; but seeing her step 
up to him, evidently unafraid, he hesitates.) 
Why, what ails thee now ? But see 
How kind the hand that rests upon thy head. 

Jester. O gods ! The poisoned kiss ! The 
poisoned kiss ! 
I would not die. 'Twas not for me they reared 
You thus. Oh, touch me not ! 

{He cowers down at her feet. She places her 
hand gently on his head.) 

The kiss ! and death ! 

{He falls on the ground, sobbing convulsively.) 

Yz. The kiss and death .? The poisoned kiss ? 
'Twas not 



34 YZDRA ACT I 

For me they reared you thus ? Oh, touch me not ? 
The kiss and death ? The poisoned kiss ? What 

can 
He mean ? Poor boy, his wits are all distraught. 

{Moving from him, then, after a pause, looking 
around at him.) 
Poor boy ! {She stands musing.) 

The poisoned kiss. The kiss and death. 

{She shakes her head; and then, suddenly he- 
ginning to understand, a look of agony comes into 
her face.) 

The child I kissed that died ! My forest life ! 
The nurse that shrinks away ! {Wildly.) 

It cannot be. 

{She staggers and supports herself against the tree.) 
Why lead me out and show me aught of life, 
If life is not for me } 

{Thinking.) The poisoned kiss. 
And death. He said what else ? I must remem- 
ber. 



sc. II YZDRA 35 

He said 'twas not for him. What then ? For 
whom ? 

{Suddenly understanding it all.) 
For Alexander death ! And what for me ? 
I must learn more. 

{As she staggers toward the Jester, the Brah- 
man enters.) 

Thou crawHng snake ! Thou mock 
Of hoHness ! What good shall come to thee 
From Alexander's death } my poisoned life } 

Brah. What meaneth this .? 

Yz. {Trying to control herself.) He told — he 
told me all. 

{The Brahman makes a sudden movement toward 
the Jester, and then, changing his mind, steps to 
the door and motions an attendant. He whispers 
to him and then the attendant leads out the Jester.) 

Brah. {Half to himself.) No prattle more 
from him. 

Yz. Thou takest life — 



36 YZDRA ACT I 

A human life against the Holy Law ? 

Brah. The Law must bend before necessity. 

Yz. {Seizing the spear and stepping towards 
him.) 
Then I take thine, thou jackal masked as man, 
Thou grey hyena tricked in holy weeds ; 
The blood of all the princes of my race 
Comes battling upward round about my heart; 
Unsexed, I stand a hero of my house, 
And claim the vengeance due, a coward's death. 

{She steps forward to strike him ; hut he gazes at 
her unflinchingly and raises his hand, exercising 
his old authority over her.) 

Brah. Turn not on me, my child, but pause 
and think. 

Yz. {Wildly.) But pause and think ! 

{Cowed hy his power over her and speaking very 
low.) 

Oh God ! I hate you so ! 

{Aloud again.) 



sc. II YZDRA 37 

Tis time to strike, not think ; to strike with hate, 
To trample out your life or spurn you hence. 

Brah. You go to Alexander; should he die 
His queen would hold dominion o'er the world. 

Yz. O base, base, base as demons scorned by 
Brahm ! 
I would not stoop to this — a coward's deed. 

(She commences to break down under the strain.) 
But tell me why my life is poisoned thus. 

Brah. Yzdra, you have but me to trust; no 
more 
A child, but woman fully grown, I trust 
Your womanhood, your blood, and tell you all. 
Before your birth the gods decreed that you 
Should live on poisons, gain this poisonous power. 
But kept their reasons hid until but now. 
When oracles revealed the State must fall, 
The King, your father, lose his rule, his life. 
Unless the Grecian army's march were stopped 
By death to Alexander brought by you. 



38 YZDRA ACT I 

Yz. But what of me, who had my Hfe to live — 
My happy human hfe, my hope of love, 
That you have baffled darkly from my birth ? 
I stand here impotent and gaze at life, 
A nameless horror, loathed by the world. 
Give back the life you took away from me ! 

Brah. Not loathed by the world but named 
of men 
In bright emblazonry on honour's scroll. 
As she who saved her country, saved her sire, 
A maiden hero worthy of her race. 

Yz. What owe I to a sire I never saw — 
A sire who leagued with you to spoil my life ? 

Brah. The gods have willed; the gods must 
be obeyed. 

Yz. I will not do it ; could not stoop so low. 

Brah. {Rising to his full dignity and threaten- 
ing her.) 

The mandates of the gods must be obeyed ; 
If not, upon your soul the consequence. 



sc. II YZDRA 39 

Yz. It cannot be ! 

Brah. Have you forgot so soon 

The hour I told you of your father's will ? 

Yz. Oh, God ! So sweet it was ! 

Brah. You told me then 

You longed to be of service to the State; 
To do some mighty thing, some valiant deed ; 
And now you falter when the chance is come. 

Yz. It was my dream of girlhood. 

Brah. Poros asks 

His daughter to be worthy of her sire — 
To give herself, as many men have given 
Themselves, to save your land and ancient race. 

Yz. I am a princess worthy of my line ; 
I would obey my sire, obey the gods. 
Would serve the State and be a queen in all ; 
But not through baseness. 

Brah. This could not be base : 

This deed the gods command will men revere 
Until they set you with the gods themselves, 



40 YZDRA ACT I 

And build a shrine, and come in pilgrimage 
To pray your aid whene'er your country needs. 
Your speech is royal but you act the slave. 

Yz. I could not do it. 

Brah. Yet you could not live 

The life you dreamed, whichever course you chose. 

( The expression of hate comes back into her face. 
She steps forward grasping the spear tightly y and 
is about to strike, but pauses, again overawed by the 
old authority.) 

In one your name will be forever praised. 
As she who loved her country, served her gods ; 
The other course, if taken, brands your name 
As one who, disobeying king and gods 
Through woman's weakness, fell as falls a tree 
By lightning shattered. Not alone this life 
You lose; through bleak eternities of lives 
The gods will hunt you, flying from their wrath — 
A horror to yourself, a name of scorn. 

Yz. It cannot be ! It cannot, cannot be ! 



sc. II YZDRA 41 

I could have been so happy living life, 

A woman merely, in some humble lot ; 

A wife and mother, feeling tiny hands 

Reached out for my protecting mother love ; 

Or just a careless girl as once I was 

Among my jasmine bowers, with dreams for life. 

So little would have made me happy; now — 

Brah. Aye, now you choose the brand of 
infamy. 
Or glory ever brightening, sung of men, 
A name for poets' hearts to conjure with. 

Yz. I could have been so happy, would have 
asked 
So little. Oh, to sink at once in Brahm, 
Forgetting all the pain, the broken hope ! 
And yet I would find vengeance ere I die ! 

Brah. Accept the way of duty marked divine. 

Yz. It may be I shall try. Now leave me 
here 
Alone, yea, all alone. I cannot stand 



42 YZDRA ACT I 

It more. In pity for my weakness go. 
It may be I shall do it. Go. 

Brah. I go, 

But charge you on your conscience, for your 

weal. 
To do the gods' high will, and save the State. 
(She sinks down, hiding her face.) 
Yz. Go ! But go ! 

Brah. The gods decree that you 

Shall save your people and your father. Now 
I go. A little later you yourself 
Will see where honour points. Till then farewell. 
Yz. (Rising.) I shall do what I will; my life 
is mine — 
My little left of life — nor owe I aught 
To country or to kin, to you or him. 
But vengeance, vengeance, vengeance ! Now 
begone. 
Brah. Consent unto our plan or die to- 
night. 



sc. II YZDRA 43 

Yz. Or die to-night ! 

Brah. Aye, such Is Poros' will. 

You know the choice. Farewell. 

Yz. Or death to-night ! 

End of Act I 



ACT II 



ACT II 

Alexander's quarters at the court of 

TAXILES 

{A pavilion tent. A practicable door on either 
side of the back, one leading to an inner pavilion 
and the other to the camp. Between them is a 
couch with steps leading up to it, and a low altar 
at one side. Alexander, Heph^stion and a 
Page discovered. Alexander reclines on the 
couch. The Page sings.) 

Is this but dream ! 
So close I seem 

To hold 
The lips, the breast 
With passion pressed 
Of old. 
47 



48 YZDRA ACT II 

Again one kiss ! — 
The moment's bliss 

Is fled, 
Like joy that flies 
Ere yet surprise 
Be dead. 
Alex. What, longing still for Macedon, my 
Page! 
Are not these Indian maidens fair enough ? 

{To Heph^stion.) 
Perchance some languorous Persian lures his 

thought 
To swift Pinarus' stream where Persia fell : 
The captive maids were fair. 

Heph. Indeed, my Lord, 

We lost as many captives as we took; 
But we to women yielded, they to men ; 
Full half of our army wear the Persian yoke. 

Alex. It is my plan to fuse at length in one 
The many nations bowed beneath my rule; 



ACT II YZDRA 49 

And intermarriage builds foundations firm 
For future empire. 

Heph. Greece has owned your sway; 

Athens and Sparta dread your god-sent power; 
CiHcia, Egypt, Lydia, Scythia, Crete, 
Are yours ; the Medes and Persians call you Lord, 
O son of Zeus ! Great Asia's Emperor ! 

Alex. Not yet is all of Asia in our hand. 
Nor can it be until this Poros bends 
His stubborn pride to sue our clemency 
For life and realm ; on him we march, and when 
His head shall bow, a reed before the wind 
Of our swift onslaught, when his armies fly 
Like scattered sand before Sirocco's blast, 
Then mayst thou call me "King" ; for none but he 
Is strong to stop our progress for a day. 

Heph. To Taxiles, our host, this day has come 
A further reinforcement for our aid. 

Alex. His friendship cheers the troops. 

Heph. Would Poros now 

E 



50 YZDRA ACT II 

Alliance make, as Taxiles has done, 
It would be well. 

Alex. How seem the men to-day ? 

Heph. They talk no more of home and child 
and wife, 
But each of valour brags to new-found friends 
And all seem well disposed for further wars. 

Alex. 'TIs well ! Ourself will pass again from 
tent 
To tent, and cheer their reborn courage on 
With speech of ancient sieges and the spoils; 
Of honour won and honour yet to gain. 
How like you India ? 

Heph. Well indeed, my Liege; 

The Indian men are brave, the women fair; 
The land itself is rich in things of worth. 
Could Aristotle, though he taught your youth, 
Surpass these Brahman sages ? 

Alex. Much I doubt. 

Who comes .? 



ACT II YZDRA 51 

Heph. The motley minded Proteas. 

{Enter Proteas with an air of great importance. 
He is dressed in the Persian fashion, and prostrates 
himself before Alexander in the manner of the 
Persians.) 

Alex. Speak, Proteas, and tell us what god 
fills thy sails with the breath of his inspiration. 

Heph. Some idle god, I think. 

Prot. Would the son of Ammon, most valiant 
and most mighty, deign in the magnificent lavish- 
ness of his kindness to hear tidings from me who 
prostrate myself dumb before his divinity .? 

Alex. Now may Hermes aid thee ! Speak on. 

Prot. My Liege, there waits without, an 
embassy. 

Alex. I pray Zeus, the protector of strangers, 
to forgive thee their waiting. What is the ap- 
pearance of this embassy, and from whom comes 
it.? 

Prot. It is, my Lord, an embassy of most 



52 YZDRA ACT II 

magnificent appearance, mounted upon elephants 
and shining with jewels. The leader is a man of 
comeliness, and beside him ride a maiden veiled 
and a Brahman old enough to be great-uncle to 
Kronos. 
Alex. But didst thou not learn from whom 

they come .? 
Prot. From one who calls himself an emperor 

— Poros by name. 
{The manner of Alexander suddenly changes, 
taking on the force and swiftness of a man of action 
and the dignity of an emperor.^ 

Alex. {To Heph^stion.) Bring in the em- 
bassy. We meet them here, 
At once. 

Heph. {Moving toward the door.) The gods 
obey your will, my Liege. 
{Enter the Rajah, the Brahman, etc.) 
{While they make their obeisance, others spread 
costly gifts at the feet of Alexander.) 



ACT II YZDRA 53 

Alex. Accept our kingly welcome for your- 
selves 
And him who sends you. For his gifts so rich, 
And something strange unto our Grecian eyes, 
We give their certain due, an Emperor's thanks. 
In this with Poros we ourself will vie. 
Returning friendship with munificence. 

Raj. To your dread feet, great Emperor, we 
come 
From Poros, who has filled our mouths with words 
Of friendly greeting. These unworthy gifts 
Are but the shadow of his good intent. 

Alex. What will has Poros other than to give .? 

Raj. The honour of alliance. Furthermore, 
He offers aid, should you such aid desire, 
In following ever eastward conquest's path ; 
Safe conduct for your troops across his realm ; 
And you yourself he fain would make his guest. 

Alex. This offer, frankly made, we would accept 
With equal frankness. 



54 YZDRA ACT II 

Raj. One thing more, my Liege : 

The King, with faith in your acceptance, charged 
This Brahman, who is chief of all the realm 
In wisdom and philosophy, with words 
More fit for him to utter than for me. 

Alex. Philosophers and poets we have held 
More worthy homage than are sceptred kings. 
The diadem of thought upon his brow 
Compels our reverence. 

Be welcome here. 

{The Brahman motions an attendant, who goes 
to the door and ushers in Yzdra, veiled, and her 
maidens ; then the Brahman walks slowly over to 
Yzdra and lifts the veil. Alexander starts in sur- 
prise and glances at Heph^stion, who looks at him.) 

Alex. (Aside to Heph^stion.) Think you, 
could Phryne's self have been more fair .? 

Heph. Not Phryne, nor the wave-born 
Cyprian. 

Brah. O son of Ammon, Poros purposing 



ACT II YZDRA 55 

To bind himself to you, yourself to him, 

In bonds more lasting than a kingdom's troth. 

Has bade me offer you for queen and wife 

His only daughter, whom he loves right well — 

The Princess Yzdra. He — 

{During this speech Alexander has shown in- 
creasing emotion^ and now, without waiting for the 
Brahman to finishy he interrupts, speaking rapidly. 
Yzdra has been looking toward the ground, but 
with the first lines of the following speech she looks 
up at him in surprise and from here on shows an 
ever increasing interest in him. At the close of the 
scene her voice and her manner indicate that she is 
deeply touched by his courtesy.) 

■^LEX. A woman's heart 

Is gift more precious than a king can give. 
It has not been my custom to extend 
My conquests thus, or take unto myself 
The maids that came within my power. The 
wife 



S6 YZDRA ACT II 

And daughter of Darius both received 
Full grace. And yet, because she is so fair, 
And somewhat also for the kingdom's weal, 
I would be glad of this ; — if she were glad, 
And came without coercion, moved by love. 
What says the maiden ? 

Brah. Sire, a name like yours 

Wakes love in women's hearts. 

Alex. But what says she } 

Yz. My father wills : I lie within your hand ; 
And yet an Indian Princess yields not thus 
Her quick consent. The daughters of my house 
Have pride of lineage and strength of will ; 
We choose from those who prove themselves for us. 

Alex. So proud and fair; you seem a queen in 
all. 
And yet you come not quite unwillingly 
To crown your beauty with my name and realm .? 

Yz. Your Grecian Cupid shoots one single 
shaft, 



ACT II YZDRA 57 

And Grecian bosoms yield them to the wound ; 
The Indian god of love has arrows five 
With flowers barbed, and with each flying shaft 
He seeks a separate sense. When all have flown, 
And love gains access through the several wounds, 
Then only, Indian women yield their hearts. 

Alex. I trust not to my armies or my state. 
My kingly order or divine descent, 
To storm this citadel of love, but trust 
My manhood simply, and the strength I own. 
Hephaestion, see our guests are well bestowed. 

Heph. I will, my Lord. 

Alex. ( To the Rajah.) This afternoon we hold 
Some further conference, and then will ask 
More fully of your country and your king, 
Of whom the voice of rumour speaks afar. 
{To YzDRA.) Of you, my Queen, I beg the cour- 
tesy 
Of taking these, my quarters, for your use. 

Yz. I would not dispossess you. 



58 YZDRA ACT II 

Alex. Soldiers find 

Their home, their comfort, anywhere. 

Yz. I thank 

You, King, for this — 
(Speaking very low.) and all your courtesy. 

Alex. Ere Phoebus stays his golden chariot 
wheels 
I come to you and crave an audience. 
But first must make inspection of the host. 
Perchance, my Princess, you would care to come 
And smile upon the troops ? 

Yz. Indeed, my Lord. 

(Exeunt.) 

(The stage is darkened for a moment to give the 
lapse of time.) 

(Enter the Brahman and the Rajah.) 

Brah. They have not yet returned. 

Raj. It makes me laugh 

To think of viewing thus the host which soon — 
Its leader dead — will pass like summer snow. 



ACT II YZDRA 59 

Brah. Not gently will it pass; for when the 
troops 
Are left without their king, each petty chief 
Will seek supreme command ; and Grecian blood, 
By Grecian swords set free, will flow unstanched. 

Raj. Then Taxiles will turn upon his guests. 
And each will murder each while we look on 
And laugh, content. 

Brah. From far will we look on ! 

Once Alexander dead, our gracious host — 
"Friend Taxiles" — from forced friendship lapsed 
Would wreak his will. 

Raj. 'Twere well indeed to fly 

And make what speed we can before the youth 
Has quaffed the deadly sweetness of her lips ; 
For should suspicion pass but near our names, 
An instant death would follow. 

Brah. When he dies 

His army, mad with grief, will spend its hate 
On Taxiles, and thus we catch two birds 



6o YZDRA ACT II 

Who took themselves for eagles, with one snare. 
The girl played well her part, and drew him on 
With beauty's swift allurement. 

Raj. She, I thought, 

Seemed not averse to answering his love 
With love returned ; for just ere they went out 
A strange new light came gleaming in her eyes. 
New accents tuned her voice and made it sweet. 
Did you observe the change ? 

Brah. I also saw : 

But should she love, it could not hurt our plan. 

Raj. Nay, rather would it help us; for her 
heart 
Would join her mind, and both, with doubled 

power. 
And purpose doubly strong, would strive to wake 
In him the passion that fulfils our aim. 

Brah. Aye, loving, she will seek with stronger 
will 
To win him to her arms ; but, loving not. 



ACT II YZDRA 6l 

Her mind at last is set to do the deed. 

Raj. In either case we gain our purpose. 

Brah. Yes. 

{The Rajah walks to the door and looks out.) 

Raj. They are not coming yet. I would we 
knew 
If love so long delays them on their way. 

Brah. When love points out the path, the 
way grows long 
In time, but short to sense. 

Raj. 'Twere well to know. 

{Enter Heph^stion.) 
We wait the coming of the King, my 
Lord. 

Heph. I also seek the King. 

Brah. They tarry long. 

Heph. But now I crossed a corner of the camp, 
And all men spoke to me with one glad voice 
Of how our Emperor and your fair Queen 
Had gleamed an instant there on all men's sight. 



62 YZDRA ACT II 

It seems the King proclaimed a feast to-night 

In honor of your embassy, and told 

How not with pain across your stained spears 

Would we your kingdom enter, but as guests, 

With garlands decked and feasting by the way; 

And when he showed in sign of peace and truth — 

More sweet than peace herself — the matchless 

maid, 

A murmur spread among the host that soon 

To general tumult rose in glad acclaim ; 

But they rode on and sought each other's eyes. 
Brah. Perchance they cannot pass athwart 

the crowd. 
Heph. The soldiers throng about them prais- 
ing both. 
{A sound of shouting is heard in the distance. 
Heph^stion goes to the door and looks out.) 
They come with half the army following. 

{The sound of cheering gradually becomes more 
distinct; then enter Alexander and Yzdra, the 



ACT II YZDRA 63 

latter flushed with excitement. The soldiers shout 
again and Yzdra goes to the door while Alexander 
stands behind her looking at them. As she turns to 
come back toward the centre, she sees the Brahman 
watching her, shudders, losing in a moment her 
joyousness; then tries to regain her composure. 
Alexander greets the three men but is all the while 
watching Yzdra. He steps over to her as she 
stands glancing at the Brahman and endeavouring 
to regain control of herself.) 

Alex. The audience I craved this afternoon 
Must now be held, so many silken hours 
Have slipped unfelt between our wayward fingers. 

(Yzdra stands motionless. He glances at the 
three men who bow and go out.) 
Queen, I claim the greeting promised by 
Those wondrous eastern eyes that charmed my 

sense. 
You will not give me welcome ? 

^^' Welcome, King. 



64 YZDRA ACT II 

{Suddenly and rapidly.) 
You must forgive me that I am overcome; 
The sudden view of greatness opening out 
Has filled my eyes with mist, my mind with 

cloud ; 
And something too of girlhood's diffidence 
Oppresses me. I am not very old, 
Have not seen much of life and mighty kings. 

Alex. And yet you come not quite unwill- 
ingly .? 

Yz. I hardly know as yet. Oh, give me time ! 

Alex. Nay, time for what, my Queen ? 

Yz. In girlhood oft 

I dreamed as maidens do of future love. 
Of how a king would come and win my heart 
By valour, courtesy, and kingly mien ; 
A mighty king he was, a noble man. 

Alex. A mighty king am I, perchance a man 
Not all unworthy of a maiden's dream ; 
But now your beauty bows me, king and man. 



ACT II YZDRA 65 

To seek your throne of womanhood, and sue, 
A captive, prostrate there, for Hfe and love. 

Yz. For hfe and love ! 

{Aside.) It cannot, cannot be ! 

{Aloud.) My life and love were yours before I 

knew 
Your name ; before I found you aught but dream ; 
But now — oh, give me time ! a little time 
Before I wake. The dream must fade so soon. 
Oh, give me time ! {After a paused 

I cannot dream again. 

Alex. Reality is fairer than your dream. 

Yz. Reality 

Alex. Is here, my Queen, with us. 
I would not push you forward to the leap, 
Yet passion, rising in me, stronger grows. 
And momently increasing makes my heart 
Forget its calculating thought to build 
A future empire's strength from your consent. 
My manhood speaks to you with waking love; — 



66 YZDRA ACT II 

(YzDRA Steps forward impulsively.) 
You love me, then ! Confess ! 

{The expression of pain comes into her face again. 
She turns away.) 

Yz It cannot be. 

Alex. What cannot be ? 

Yz. You do not understand. 

Alex. Love makes swift conquest of a soldier's 
heart. 
It eats like poison through me, blood and bone. 

(The shouting is heard again outside. Alex- 
ander hesitates a moment, looks at Yzdra, and 
then goes to the door.) 

Yz. {Aside.) Like poison I Ah ! 
{Aloud.) You do not understand. It cannot be. 

(Alexander turns with a gesture to Yzdra, then 
raises the curtain and stands facing the troops 
without.) 

{The Brahman enters unseen by Alexander. 
He stands looking at Yzdra and raises his hand 



ACT II YZDRA e^ 

in command, compelling her with his eyes. Alex- 
ander motions the troops to he silent.) 

Alex. Beside the feast to-night we now pro- 
claim 
That games be held in honour of the Queen, 
And many prizes, gold and things of worth, 
Ourselves will give to those who most deserve. 

{The soldiers cheer again. Exit Brahman.) 
But now let all disperse and rest awhile. 

{Another cheer. He stands watching them as 
they go.) 

The soldiers hail you as their queen and mine. 
So yield you must ; for we — we know not 
how. 
(YzDRA Stands motionless, gazing straight ahead 
of her. She speaks mechanically without cadence 
in her voice.) 
Yz. It may be I shall do it. 
Alex. Trust me now. 

(YzDRA Speaks still mechanically as though 



68 YZDRA 



ACT II 



forcing herself to speak, hut there is some slight 
modulation in her voice, which trembles a little.) 

Yz. Ah, King, I trust your love ; I fain would 
yield ; 
My every dream of girlhood changed to life 
Before me stands. A king you are, a man 
Of valour, courtesy and kingly mien 
Beyond my thought. 

Alex. And yet you love me not ? 

{She turns toward him and speaks wildly, putting 
all her emotion into her voice, and desiring him 
to understand her, though realising that he cannot 
do so.) 

Yz. I love, yea, love too much • 'tis love that 
brings 
Refusal to my lips. One last ideal 
I clutch with straining hands. It cannot be. 
I love you, love you, yet it cannot be. 

Alex. Nay, then it shall be \ 

{He steps forward toward her quickly, throws his 



ACT II YZDRA 69 

arms about her and stoops to kiss her. She pushes 
him back violently and speaks very wildly.) 

Yz. Death ! Your death and mine ! 

Alex. What say you, Princess ? 

{Enter the Brahman behind Alexander. They 
do not see him.) 

Yz. Death. Your death and mine. 
It is too much. Oh gods, that this should be ! 

Alex. What mean you ? 

(YzDRA sees the Brahman and staggers toward 
Alexander, falling to her knees beside him and 
Teaching up for his hand.) 

Yz. (To ^/i(f Brahman.) Go! In pity go! 

(Alexander draws away his hand and leaves 
her without support; she falls to the floor.) 
Oh gods ! 

(Alexander has followed the direction of 
Yzdra's look and now sees the Brahman, on whom 
he turns fiercely.) 

Alex. What meaneth this .? 'Tis thou who 
must explain. 



70 YZDRA ACT II 

Brah. I know not what she means, but know 
she loves, 
And think the maiden's mind must be distraught 
With sudden greatness and the love she owns. 
With thought of you and your divinity. 

Alex. The truth ! Be quick ! The truth ! 

Brah. I know no more. 

Poor girl, her unused wits go wandering 
Overcome with passion and her sudden joy; 
But I, who have some skill with soothing herbs, 
Some knowledge of the mind, will soon restore 
Her reason, make her yield such proofs of love 
As oft a maid, though loving, long withholds. 

Alex. But now she spoke of death — her 
death and mine. 

Brah. Those words meant naught; she will 
unsay them soon. 

Yz. That will I never do. The truth is mine 
And honour, though I die in saving him. 

(She rises to her full height and stands facing the 



ACT II YZDRA 71 

Brahman, her eyes flashing, her voice under control 
and her face showing perfect determination. For 
the first time, she has more force than he and he 
feels that he has lost his power over her. He moves 
involuntarily toward the door, but she steps in front 
of him, blocking the way.) 
He who has played so ruthlessly with lives 
Now shifts to save his own. He dreads the change 
To some despised shape, most like himself. 
Some snake, or slinking jackal ; yet his death 
Could not requite me for the evil done, 
For life and love, for hope and womanhood. 
Some subtle torture of the frame and mind 
Is best for thee. {Turning to Alexander.) 

My Liege, I tell you all. 

(Alexander steps toward the Brahman.) 

Alex. What hast thou done .? 

{The Brahman takes a dagger from his robes and 
strikes at Alexander.) 

^Rah. I shall not die alone. 



72 YZDRA ACT II 

(YzDRA Springs forward and hits aside the 
Brahman's arm. The dagger falls and Alex- 
ander puts his foot on it.) 

Yz. Nor I. 

Alex. Attend the Princess. Call the guards. 

{Enter Heph^stion with jive or six soldiers 
and the Page ; then Yzdra's women.) 
Hephaestion, guard this hoary demon well, 
And put the others from the selfsame brood 
In chains. Let all be gagged. 

{To the guards.) And you, my friends, 
Talk not unto the troops. 

Heph. Your will is law. 

(Heph^stion and the soldiers lead out the 
Brahman. The women are helping Yzdra toward 
the other door. The Page goes with the soldiers.) 

Alex. When you have quite regained your 
strength and calm, 
I come to learn more fully of these things 
That now are dark to me. Whatever the truth 



ACT II YZDRA 73 

'Tis best that we should grace the games to-night 
From joined thrones. The Brahman will be safe. 
The secret must remain between ourselves. 

(YzDRA goes out supported by the women. Two 
of the soldiers with the Page re-enter and stand at 
either side of the door hy which they came in. Alex- 
ander, noticing them, stands in thought for a 
moment and then takes a goblet from the steps of 
the couch.) 

{To the Page.) 
Some wine I pour to Ammon. 

{The Page fills the goblet and then Alexander 
goes up the steps till he stands above the altar, on 
which he sprinkles a little wine.) 

Father, God, 
Be now thine ear attuned to hear my prayer; 
Let now thy heart, though filled with bliss eterne, 
Remember once again my Mother's face, 
Where white she lay in some dim woodland glade 
And felt thy godhead stooping through the dusk 



74 YZDRA ACT II 

To crown her beauty. Now remember, King, 
Thy joy, her sorrow, and the child she bore, 
Who here with supphant hands about thy knees 
Lays claim with double right to aid divine. 
Oh, Ammon, God and Father, hear my prayer ! 
Now guide and guard me; — 

{Re-enter one of the women.) 
Speak ! 

The Woman. The Princess comes. 

(Alexander motions the soldiers and Page to 
retire. Re-enter Yzdra. She speaks, at first, i?i 
a hard, restrained voice.) 

Yz. 'Tis I who come to you. 

Alex. The truth at once ! 

Yz. I must disclose a deed so vile, so base. 
That demons thinking on it pale with fear — 
A shame set burning on the front of Ind 
To make her ways a by-word to the world. 
And leave my name a thing obscene, abhorred. 
For folk of after years to shudder at. 



ACT II YZDRA 75 

Yea I, whom but a moment since you loved, 
And in a little moment more will hate, 
When once you know my vileness, I who speak, 
Who loved you, King ; who love you, love you now, 
From birth was dedicate to work your death. 
By means most base, and loathsome. 

Alex. You I loved ! 

Yz. Aye, "loved." You will not love me any 
more. 
But soon will spurn me where I clasp your feet. 
Myself, myself abhorring. Hear the tale : 
This Brahman from my helpless infant years 
Mixed poison with my food, until I grew. 
Not knowing this myself, a poisoned thing, 
That starved hyenas, did they know, would shun. 
You have the truth, 

Alex. {Starting back.) No harpy is more 
foul! 

Yz. The gods themselves determined this 
should be. 



76 YZDRA ACT II 

And spoke through him in trance their oracles, 
Obeying which, he made me what I am. 

Alex. I hear the words but cannot take the 
sense : 
They have no meaning. 

Yz. Hear me now, and heed. 

My kiss is poison and my love is death. 

Alex. Your love is death ! 'Tis false ! That 
cannot be ! 

Yz. No serpent is more deadly than my lips; 
He gave me poison till my life was charged 
With horror, nameless, loathsome and accursed ; 
Then he with Poros plotting, sent me here 
To work your death. 

Alex. But you have saved my life. 

Yz. I love you, King. 

Alex. I cannot think 'tis true 

You have this power. 

Yz. I killed a helpless child. 

The poison takes a few short hours to work. 



ACT II YZDRA 77 

Alex. This is too horrible. 
Yz. And yet, 'tis true. 

Alex. The horror grapples strongly with my 
love; 
I love and loathe. Love's wound was swift and 
deep. 
Yz. You could not love a loathsome thing like 

me. 
Alex. You saved my life. We must take 
time for thought. 
Ere night I will inform me of the truth 
If this could be. It passes all belief. 

Yz. Too true it is. I would it were not so. j| 

My youth was passed alone with one old 

nurse, 
The Brahman's tool, who feared my deadly 

touch ; 
There is no room for doubt, the Rajah knows. 
Alex. From him and from the Brahman will 
I learn. 



78 YZDRA ACT II 

Yz. Think not too hardly of me. Speak 

some word. 
(Alexander starts toward her impulsively and 
then draws back, showing both love and aversion.) 
Alex. Love lingers yet, I cannot cast it 

out 
Yz. The fault was theirs alone, though mine 
the doom. 
When first I made discovery of my curse 
They gave me choice of winning you or death, — • 
And then I loved you. 

Alex. Zeus ! My love is strong; 

My horror too. I must take time for thought. 
{Enter the Page.) 
Page. The soldiers seek your orders for the 

games. 
Alex. I go with you at once. And you, my 
Queen, 
Farewell. I pray you grace our feast to-night; 
Perchance ere then we may devise some plan, 



ACT 11 YZDRA 79 

And see more clearly things that now seem dark. 
I humbly take my leave. 

Yz. Farewell, my Lord. 

( The Page raises the curtain. The soldiers cheer.) 

Some. Long life ! 

Others. And love unto the King and Queen ! |i 

(YzDRA and Alexander look at each other and 
then go out by separate doors. The stage is darkened 
for a moment.) 

{When the stage again becomes visible, on the 
right is a platform bearing a table and two thrones ; 
on the left a platform with a table and throne. On 
the tables are golden drinking cups. Below each 
platform is another table. Slaves stand waiting 
to serve. A cheer is heard outside, then enters 
Taxiles preceded by a small bodyguard and 
followed by the chief men of the kingdom. Taxiles 
takes the throne on the left, the guards stand behind 
him and the others range themselves below. A 
louder and more prolonged cheer, followed by the 



8o YZDRA ACT II 

Macedonian battle-cry , is heard, and then Alex- 
ander enters. Behind him come Heph^stion, 
other Greek Generals, one Persian and Proteas. 
Then follow three of the Cavalry Companions as a 
guard. These are dressed in their own uniform, 
Heph^stion wears Persian costume and the other 
Greek Generals are dressed in the Macedonian 
manner. Alexander wears a combination of the 
Persian and Median royal costumes. He goes to 
the vacant throne which is the farther from the stage 
of the two. Taxiles rises and they exchange 
salutes. Heph^stion seats himself on the steps 
just below Alexander. Proteas after prostrat- 
ing himself stands to one side and the Generals take 
seats at the lower table. While they are doing this 
Alexander talks aside to Heph^stion. 

Heph. What news, my Lord ? 

Alex. The Queen has told me all. 

Heph. Some fearful thing ^. 

Alex. Most fearful and most strange. 



ACT II YZDRA 8 1 

She saves my life, disclosing treachery. 

Heph. Of whom ? 

Alex. Of Poros and the Brahman both. 

Heph. The Rajah too .? 

Alex. He also knows the plot. 
I have learned all but will not tell you all. 
The Princess comes to grace our festival, 
But for the absent men make some excuse. 

Heph. [Rising.] 
The Emperor bids me tell what all should know — 
The reason why we lack to-night two guests, 
Whose absence something mars our festival. 
The Rajah of Abhisara prepares 
With necessary haste his messages. 
Which tell of how the embassy has sped : 
His presence much would grace our company. 
His absence dulls our joy. The Brahman old, 
O'erwearied with the burden of his years. 
Which bore not easily the journey here. 
Betakes himself to rest and lonely thought. 



82 YZDRA ACT II 

As is the custom with philosophers 

Who find their pleasure in the mind, and scorn 

Such joyous usages as games and feasts. 

The Princess Yzdra comes, and having her, 

Our lack of these, the absent guests, seems naught. 

Alex. Thee, worthy Proteas, we do appoint 
For this one night to bear our cups to us. 
And cheer our mood with talk. Not yet begins 
The feast, nor shall begin until to us 
The Princess Yzdra comes. 

The Troops. {Outside,) The Queen ! The 
Queen ! 
All hail the Princess Yzdra ! 

All. {Within.) Hail, all hail ! 

{The Princess enters.) 

{She is pale but firm. Alexander steps down 
and leads her to the vacant throne. Proteas, 
kneeling, hands her a golden cup.) 

Alex. My Princess, now, with your most 
gracious leave. 



ACT II YZDRA 83 

We will commence our feast and festival, 
And honour you whose presence honours us. 

(YzDRA bows and makes a gesture of assent. 
Heph^stion motions the attendants. Some fill 
the zvinecups. Others bring in dishes. Musicians 
enter with various Greek instruments and range 
themselves on the steps 0} the couch at the rear of 
the stage. After an instrumental prelude played 
on the flutes, the Page who sang at the opening of 
the present act sings:) 
In all the world I see your face — 
By night, by day, in every place; 
Where Phoebus burns through western skies 
I find the glory of your eyes, 
And Cynthia, silver on the sea, 
Your girlhood seems, at rest in me. 

{A Greek Slave Girl sings the answering 
stanza :) 

And when my eyes are closed in sleep. 
Your image safe within they keep; 



84 YZDRA ACT II 

In dreams I touch your lips, your hands, 
And breathe the words love understands. 
But waked from dreams I sigh alway 
For you who miss me, night and day. 

{Both together.) 
Ah Love, as In the vacant sky 
When night is past and dawn is nigh. 
There lives alone one planet blue, 
So all my Heaven has only you ! 
So all my Heaven has only you ! 

Yz. A sweet, sad song, O King. 

Alex. Love unfulfilled 

Breeds strange illusions. 

Yz. Yet the singer told 

Of absence only ; sadder songs would come 
From one who sought the bourne where Life 

meets Death, 
And smiles to see its passion changed to peace 
In vast annihilation ; finding calm 
Unending, timeless, senseless. 



ACT II YZDRA 85 

Heph. Passion's songs 

Come undefeated, struggling through the void 
From singers hushed in Hades ; and in them 
Has love its only immortality. 

Yz. But see, some further pleasure comes to 
us. 
{Enter a Hindu Dancing Girl.) 

{She dances to the accompaniment of players. 
Throughout this scene, the feast is in progress. 
Proteas says nothing hut has comic business such 
as stealing wines and food, and approaching the 
King and Yzdra each time with a pronounced 
obeisance. He evidently is filled with a sense of 
the importance of his office and he orders about the 
servants with arrogance.) 

Heph. My Queen, how pleases you the 
maiden's dance ? 

Yz. I like it well and would see more of them. 

{Aside.) The music chimes a sadness like 
my own. 



86 YZDRA ACT II 

Alex. {Aside.) Be not so sad. 

Yz. {Aside.) What help is there for us ? 

Heph. The Queen, I trust, ere long will come 
with us 
To see our dancing girls in Macedon. 

Yz. I would be glad of that. 

Heph. What have we here ? 

{Enter a Hindu Juggler with his attendants.) 

{While he is performing two or three of the famous 
Hindu tricks Proteas stands open-mouthed in 
amazement and forgets to fill the cups. After the 
first trick Proteas speaks but keeps his eyes upon 
the Hindu.) 

Proteas. My liege, I think he must be half 
divine ; 
No mortal man could do such wondrous things. 

Heph. Amazement fills me. 

Alex. Yea, 'tis very strange. 

{During the second trick Proteas shows i?i- 
creasing fear, and at the close he starts to prostrate 



ACT II YZDRA 87 

himself before the Hindu.) 
Stand up. Stand up. 

Heph. This thing is wonderful. 

Alex. {To Yzdra.) Our Grecian wisdom 
seems but poor indeed, 
Beside your eastern magic. 

Heph. Socrates 

For all his knowledge could not reach to this. 

Yz. Our thought is old, yet stretches up- 
ward still ; 
Onward and upward till it clasps the gods. 
But all is impotent when sorrow comes ; 
It cannot free the heart where anguish dwells, 
Or dry the smallest of a woman's tears. 

Alex. Yet courage often wins what thought 
gives up, 
And hews its way to sunlight from the dark. 

Yz. {Aside, touching her breast.) 

'Tis midnight here. 

Alex. I see a sluggish dawn. 



88 YZDRA ACT ii 

{At the close of the third trick, the soldiers outside 
are heard?) 

The Soldiers : The games ! Do not forget 
the games ! The games ! 

Alex. Indeed, we had forgot. The soldiers 
wait. (Rising.) 
Do you lead on unto the games and soon 
The Queen and I will follow ; first we hold 
Some further conference of private things. 

(Taxiles rising, hows to Alexander and 
YzDRA and goes out followed by his train, and then 
by the Greeks. Alexander and Yzdra alone 
come down to the centre of the stage.) 

Yz. What have you done ? 

Alex. I know the awful truth ; 

The oracle was clear, I must believe ; 
And he who voiced the god confirms it now; 
There is no room for doubt. 

Yz. Then none for hope. 

{Looking up at him bravely.) 



ACT II YZDRA 89 

I know you cannot love me any more. 

Alex. I cannot choose but love in spite of 
all. 

Yz. It cannot be your love is like my own 
That rends me, helpless, with its agony. 

Alex. But one poor way I see. 

Yz. Oh, tell me that. 

Alex. A strange, sad way it is and leads to 
death. 

Yz. To death and not to love. 

Alex. To love fulfilled, 

Then death. 

Yz. Ah, love fulfilled is all I crave 1 
To cling unto your lips, then welcome death. 
I love too much, for life beyond your arms 
Has naught for me. 

Alex. And naught for me, O Queen. 
This love is strong indeed, his arrows wound ; 
And I, the conqueror, who thought to rule, 
Am bowed in vassalage ; the world and life, 



90 YZDRA ACT II 

My joy in conquest and the stress of fight, 
Seem nothing more to me. 

Yz. Yea, love is strong ! 

It bows me, sways me, fills me, takes away 
My power of thought. I only crave to come 
Unto your arms — then hide myself in death. 
But you ? Whatever happens, you will live. 
Now tell your plan. 

Alex. To yield ourselves to Fate. 

Yz. You cannot mean to die, accepting all 
The horror and the shame of such a death — 
So 3^oung, in mid career — for my dread love. 
That foul, polluted thing ! 

Alex. {Sadly hut firmly.) Yet this I mean. 

(YzDRA gazes at him for a moment, and as she 
looks i tenderness slowly comes in place of her former 
wildness.) 

Yz. To die for me ! {She puts her hands on his 
shoulders.) 

Let passion be controlled 



ACT II YZDRA 91 

And let us live with lips that never meet, 
But joined hearts and hands. 

Alex. That could not be. 

Not till I drain the certainty of death 
From their excess of sweetness do I live. 

Yz. When passion cools with age we two will 

go 
Toward death together, happy in our love. 

Alex. That cannot, shall not be ! Not Tan- 
talus 
Does madden so with thirst as I for you, 
And not so heavy is the doom he bears 
As this would be. Life has not aught for us 
But love fulfilled. 

Yz. {With less assurance.) I will not have it 

so ! 
Alex. {Speaking in a tone of decision, and 
putting all the force of his character in the 
assertion.) My love is stronger than the 
bonds of life. 



92 YZDRA ACT II 

Yz. {Very wildly and with all possible inten- 
sity.) 
He loves as I ! {She springs toward him.) I do 
accept your love. 
(Alexander steps toward her impulsively and 
then checks himself with a great effort.) 

Alex. But one thing more I do before the 
end : 
I thirst for vengeance on the dastard king 
Who planned this coward's trick, and poisoned 
you. 
Yz. {Slowly and thoughtfully.) 
My people expiate my father's fault. 
I grieve for them, but grieve not much for him 
Who justly falls. He gave no love to me; 
And yet the ending of my ancient race 
Through me brings sorrow. 

Alex. Love forgotten seems. 

Yz. Ah, no ! A moment's grief and that is 
all. 



ACT II YZDRA 93 

Be swift and sure; my father's host is strong. 

Alex. Or weak or strong, I shall defeat him 
soon. 
Then vengeance satisfied, world-empire won, 
We drink our cup of passion, yield to Fate. 

Yz. Ah ! love is strong ! 

Alex. I do not fear to die. 

Tis best to seek the shades with blazing course, 
A star across the night ; not slowly fade 
When men have half forgot how once you shone. 

Yz. Yea, that were good ; to live one perfect 
hour, 
Then fall like stars while all men stand amazed. 

Alex. There seems no other way for you and 
me. 

Yz. What do you with the Brahman ? 

Alex. He shall go 

With ignominy heaped, and if he will 
May tell his jackal king the lion comes. 
To-morrow morn shall see our march begin. 



94 YZDRA ACT II 

Yz. Ah, Love, do swiftly this — your last 
great deed — 
And then we drain the cup, let come what will ! 
Alex. It cannot come too soon. 
The Soldiers. The King! The King! 

{Enter Heph^stion.) 
Heph. The soldiers grow impatient. 
Alex. Now we come. {Exeunt.) 

Curtain 



ACT III 



ACT III 

Scene I 

A CORRIDOR IN THE PALACE OF POROS 

(PoROS discovered. Enter Prince.) 
Prince. Again I greet you, Sire. 
PoR. Be welcome, son. 

How fared you on your errand ? 

Prince. Well, my Lord ; 

If present plans should fail, and need there be, 
You could command an army worthy you. 
I found the separate chiefs each well disposed 
With love and loyalty to serve your cause ; 
They all have raised their men and wait your 
word. 
PoR. That news is good; should our first 
arrow miss, 
The bow is bent to send the second forth. 
H 97 



98 YZDRA ACT iii 

No news has reached me yet. I would we knew 
What so delays the Brahman's messenger. 

Prince. My mind forebodes some dire mis- 
chance. 
PoR. And mine. 

I never played this hypocritic game 
With any zeal ; a man should fight with arms. 
Prince. The way we took was pointed by the 
gods, 
But still my mind keeps boding ill on ill. 
There must be news ere long. 

PoR. My patience wanes. 

Prince. What made you send the Princess 
Yzdra's nurse 
So hotly after her .? 

PoR. How knew you that .? 

Prince. She passed me, speeding swiftly on 

her way. 
PoR. 'Twas best the Princess should have 
someone by 



sc. I YZDRA 99 

Who knew her fearful secret, and who could, 

If need there were, sustain the Brahman's 

plans. 
She reared the girl and she is worthy trust. 
But look, who comes ? 

Prince. It is the Brahman, Sire. 

PoR. The Brahman ! 

Prince. Aye, all woe-begone and weak, 

With clotted hair, his garments soiled and torn ; 
He scarce can stand. 

{Enter Brahman.) 
PoR. What brings you in this plight .? 

Brah. To arms ! to arms ! there is no other 

way. 
PoR. The King refused her then .? 
Brah. He learned our plot. 

And pale with anger marches on you now. 
Prince. How could he learn the plot ? 
PoR. No time for words ! 

Go you, send messengers to all the chiefs. 



lOO YZDRA ACT III 

Brah. The Princess learned by accident her 
power, 
And through a woman's weakness told the King. 

PoR. He did not doubt the truth ? 

Brah. How could he doubt ? 

I said that fever might have killed the child ; 
But she had told him of the oracle, 
And none there is who disbelieves the gods. 

PoR. It was the truth that fever killed the 
child. 

Prince. And not the poison ^ 

PoR. No, for I have learned 

Its mother died of fever just before, 
And that was why it wandered off alone. 
Its death proved nothing. 

Prince. Nor disproves it now; 

We need no proof beyond the oracle. 

PoR. We have not now the slightest trace of 
proof; 
We know they gave her poisons, but know not 



sc. I YZDRA lOI 

That she has gained their power. 

Brah. If there is one 

Who thinks the words I uttered in my trance 
Were not directly spoken by the god, 
Let him beheve the Princess is the same 
As other maidens are. 

Prince. None such there is; 

We cannot doubt a dream or oracle. 

PoR. I cannot choose but doubt so strange a 
thing ; 
But true, or false, it does not matter now; 
The war is on our hands; the Grecian comes. 
Where is Abhisara ? 

Brah. Two nights ago 

He left me while I slept and took away 
The scant provisions we had gathered up. 

Prince. It cannot be that he is traitorous ! 

PoR. Go you and do our bidding; raise the 
host. 
Though all should traitors prove, ourself will fight 



I02 YZDRA ACT III 

And be this Grecian's death, or die by him. 

(Exit Prince.) 
And you : our royal curse be on your head ! 
Our curse, and if it come, the country's doom ! 
No more will I be led from valour's course 
To follow darkly twisting paths of stealth. 
Or prop my kingdom on uncertain dreams 
That make me scorn myself, and leaned on, 
fail. 

Brah. My Lord 

PoR. Nay, hear me speak. 

When first I gave 
Consent to yield the Princess to your will 
My mind foreboded fearful things to come; 
But now I fight ! My own brave way is left. 

Brah. And I, with you, will face the Grecian 
darts. 
Inciting all to fight for king and gods. 
My plan has failed, some demon thwarted us. 
So now I aid your courage in the field. 



sc. I YZDRA 103 

I faint for lack of food. 

PoR. Go you to rest, 

And I will make provision for the war; 
Then later we will hear your tale rehearsed. 

Curtain 



i 



Scene II 
yzdra's tent in Alexander's camp on the 

WEST bank of the HYDASPES 

{It is the afternoon before the battle. Yzdra is 
discovered reclining on a couch; slaves are fanning 
her. Enter Nurse.) 

Nurse. My Lotos Flower, your father bade 
me take 
His swiftest elephant to follow you, 
Lest in this strange new world you feel the lack 
Of me and my accustomed services. 
I missed you many times but find at last. 

(Yzdra rising furiously motions the slaves to 
leave. As they go, she stands looking at the Nurse, 
then breaks out in uncontrolled passion.) 

Yz. Thou here ! Thou dare to come and face 
me now ! 

104 



sc. II YZDRA 105 

I know thee, what thou art, and scorn thy 

wiles 
Of unforgiven infamy. 

Nurse. My child ! 

Yz. Nay, "child" not me! I know thee, 

know myself — 
The thing that thou hast made me. Ven- 
geance waits. 
Nurse. You mean my death ! 
Yz. Aye, death ! Look not about ; 

Thou canst not fly, but when thou goest hence 
'Twill be to death ; with shame as dark as mine. 
Nurse. The poisoned death } O God ! Not 

that ! Not that ! 
(YzDRA has been regaining control of herself 
and speaks now less wildly.) 

Yz. That would be justice. Dost thou 
tremble now 
In pity of thyself, who pitied not 
Thy foster-child ? 



io6 YZDRA 



ACT III 



Nurse. Oh, grant some other death 

Less awful in itself, aught else but that ! 

Yz. {She begins speaking with a start of 
surprise as the idea strikes her; and as she con- 
tinues, speaking half to herself and thinking of 
Alexander, her manner becomes gradually less 
hard and her passion subsides till at the close she 
speaks dreamily with nothing in her voice and eyes 
but her love for him.) 

It might be that the poison would not kill, 
Despite the Brahman's wisdom. Gods, dear 

gods, 
How happy would we be if this were proved ! 
And we could live and love and rule the world, 
Forgetting all this coil of hate and tears. 

Nurse. It could not fail. Forgive. My 
death is sure. 

Yz. {Pleading for some confirmation of her 
hope.) 
You know that death is sure ? 



sc. II YZDRA 107 

Nurse. Forgive me ! Spare ! 

Yz. {Wildly again.) Didst thou spare me? 
Nay, then I make the test : 

{She springs toward her and then stops suddenly ^ 
a look of bewilderment on her face.) 

Yz. I cannot seem to do it. 

Nurse. Spare me ! Spare ! 

Yz. I could have done it once. 

Nurse. Forgive me. 

Yz. Yea, 

I cannot help myself, for love has come 
And tamed me from my wildness. Go in peace. 
Yes, go ! Since life is sweet, I give thee back 
Thy few grey years, and suffer all myself. 
Go quickly, though ; it might be I should change. 

{The Nurse looks at her doubtfully for a moment 
and then hurries out. Yzdra throws herself ex- 
hausted on the couch.) 

{After a pause.) 
She really seemed to love me years ago. 



lo8 YZDRA 



ACT III 



{After a shorter pause.) 
I wonder if my garden looks the same, 
And if those dimbing roses reached the tree. 
I wish that I had asked her. 

{She calls.) Nurse ! Oh, Nurse ! 

She is not there. I never shall forget 
The garden, nor those childish dreams I dreamed 
And told unto the roses. 

{She goes to the door to look for the Nurse /wj/ 
as a slave ushers in Heph^stion.) 

Heph. Greetings, Queen. 

Yz. Be welcome, General. 

Heph. But why so sad ? 

Yz. I cannot quite forget my garden home, 
Nor all the dreams I dreamed among the hills; 
And sometimes in my sleep I seem to wake 
And feel the flowers that I loved so well, 
Unseen, but all about me, everywhere. 
And sometimes, even when the King is by. 
And speaks of love to me and I to him. 



sc. 11 YZDRA 109 

A sound or scent will bring my garden here; 
Then all the past comes flooding to my eyes : 
It is a part of me and must remain. 
But this is naught to you. You bring me news .? 

Heph. The usual news — that Alexander longs 
To see you once again. He sent me here 
To ask if he might come at once. 

Yz. Ah, yes ; 

'Tis afternoon and every crawling hour 
Since yestermorn when last I saw the King 
Has stretched to double length its weariness. 

Heph. The King but now returned to the 
camp. 

Yz. How fared his scouting party ? 

Heph. Well, I think. 

Your father's host upon the other shore 
Keeps close to camp, expecting us to wait 
Until the flood abating lets them cross. 
The King may come at once .? 

Yz. Yes, bid him come. 



no YZDRA ACT III 

Heph. My feet are shod with Hermes* sandals, 

Queen, 
To bear with swiftest speed your messages. 

{Exit Heph^stion.) 
Yz. Yet once again he comes, and once again 
My passion springs to meet him. 
{She looks at herself in a burnished copper mirror.) 

Fair I am : 
That matters not — he could not love me more 
If all the gods should with each other vie 
To heap divine perfections on my head ; 
He would not love me less, if beauty changed 
To strange deformity. 

(Enter Alexander.) 

Ah, Lover, King, 
So long has absence seemed, so very long ! 

Alexander. Yea, like eternity to souls un- 
blessed. 
Yz. But are you wholly mine .? When you are 
here 



sc. II YZDRA III 

I would not have you king or general, 

Or aught I cannot share, but mine, and mine, 

And mine alone — the well-loved lover only. 

Alex. All yours I am. The world outside is 
like 
Some dim, remembered dream when one awakes ; 
My life is yours, and soon — this night perhaps — 
I die to hold you closely, mine indeed. 

Yz. So soon ! 

Alex. The battle will be joined to- 

night. 

Yz. Ah, do not risk the crossing ! 

Alex. This one deed 

To crown my life before the eyes of men 
I do ; and then at last, world-empire won, 
I yield me to my passion, hold you close. 
My own indeed ; the world and life forgot 
In love's full ecstasy of eyes and lips. 
My love is strong and binds me more than Fate 
To work its will. 



112 YZDRA ACT III 

Yz. The gods protect you, Love ! 

Do not neglect to send me messages 
Of how the battle goes. Remember her 
Who waits and watches through the lonely hours, 
A prey to all the fears love conjures up. 
And yet, I would some other course had led 
To love fulfilled than this sad way we climb 
Who mount upon the corpses of my kin 
To victory. My father and my race. 
Our ancient name, through me are doomed to 

death. 
Alex. They fall, but love upon them stands 

alone ; 
And love is all that counts ; for love I give 
My lordship of the world, and you your race. 
Yz. I would not have you, Love, give up so 

much. 
Ah, yes, I would; and yet I can but doubt 
When now you reach the two diverging ways ; 
One short but very sweet through love to death. 



sc. II YZDRA 113 

And one that leads through years of fame and 

praise 
To honoured age, if you would not prefer 
To walk the longer path, and live your life. 
I have had many thoughts these last few days : 
It made me think to have the end so near. 

Alex. There is no choice but one — through 

love to death. 
Yz. Ah, yes, there is ! The other path that 

here 
Seems dark and hard to tread, with naught beyond. 
Would soon grow easy for your feet ; and soon 
You would look forward brightly, not look back. 
Forgetting love. Then I, from some lone place, 
Would see your glory in the blinding sun 
And send my messengers to hear your voice 
And tell me of your looks. 

Alex. I am resolved. 

Yz. My love may not at last so fatal prove; 
I sometimes hope again. 



114 YZDRA ACT III 

Alex. That cannot be. 

At first I doubted if the Brahman's lore 
Had probed so deep the secrets of the gods; 
But ever when I hoped, a phantom came 
From that pale child who wandered near your 

home 
And felt the magic of your poisoned lips. 

Yz. No hope ! 

Alex. And then so real this horror 

seems, 
So present to my sight disgraceful death ; 
I tremble at the leap that love compels, 
But will not falter here upon the brink. 

Yz. The curse was mine, be mine alone the 
doom ! 
I will not have you share my fate and shame; 
The world is yours, with life and other loves; 
Let death be mine ! I bare me to the stroke. 
Beseeching death from you to give you life, 
The only thing my fatal love can give. 



sc. II YZDRA 115 

I tried before to tell you this, but still 
Your passion like a torrent whirled me on, 
And swept me from myself and blinded me. 
I could not set my will opposed to yours ; 
I did not have the will; but now I have. 

(YzDRA bares her bosom, imploring the stroke.) 
Alex. Nay, Love, put by that thought; we 
two are strong 
To face our destiny unfaltering ; 
I am resolved to make you all my own, 
And ere to-morrow's stars I come to you 
To call you "Bride", though Fate be there to 
smite. 
Yz. It shall not be ! My love implores your 
hate; 
I clasp it to my breast. Oh, leave me now. 
And let me take myself where nevermore 
Your eyes shall fill with horror at my sight; 
Or let me go and hide myself in death; 
The grave alone can cover shame like mine. 



ri6 YZDRA act hi 

Alex. Come life, come death, our hearts are 
joined for both ; 
And love shall be fulfilled. 

Yz. Then go, my King, 

And certain victory attend your course; 
Then hide within my arms your sovereignty. 
Alex. I shall not fail. The troops are on 
the march 
And I, their leader, tarry here too long. 
Love give me wings to win and come again ! 
Yz. Farewell, and may the gods fulfill my 
prayers 
And bring you swiftly back, victorious. 

Curtain 



Scene III 

OUTSIDE THE TENT OF POROS ON THE EAST BANK 
OF THE HYDASPES 

(PoROS and attendants discovered. A furious 
storm is raging.) 

{Enter Brahman.) 
Brah. What news ? They say the Greeks 

attempt to cross. 
Por. Aye, up the stream, just where the river 
bends, 
A sentry saw them struggling in the flood. 
I sent the Prince to beat them down the bank ; 
They will not win against the tide and him. 
Brah. What troops went with the Prince to 

meet them, Sire .? 
Por. a scanty force, but strong enough to 
quell 

117 



Ii8 YZDRA ACT III 

This mad attempt. Who but a hare-brained 

boy 
Would risk the crossing, and on such a night ? 
{Enter a Messenger.) 
Messenger. To arms ! The Prince has fallen 
and the Greeks, 
Their army in array, are marching down. 

PoR. The Prince has fallen ! Is our son then 

dead ? 
Messenger. They reached the shore some 
moments ere he came ; 
His force they overwhelmed, and him they 
slew. 
PoR. Nay, then, to arms ! Let each man fight 
for king 
And country, for his life, his home, his lands. 
To arms ! To arms ! Ourself will lead the van. 
{Enter a second Messenger.) 
PoR. Well, slave, thy news ? 
Messenger. The news is black, my Lord. 



sc. Ill YZDRA 119 

PoR. It better fits the night. What is it? 
Speak. 

Messenger. The Rajah of Abhisara has sent 
To Alexander messengers of peace 
And offered firm alHance 'gainst your state. 

Brah. The curse of all the gods be on his 
head. 

PoR. How know you this ? 

Messenger. A captive Greek has told. 

PoR. Enough! This night will see a battle 
fought 
That shall surpass the glories of our Ind 
And dim the deeds of all our storied chiefs. 
We shall be sung of in the coming years, 
And taught to children when their infant hands 
First learn to draw the bow; our names shall be 
Familiar to their ears as common words 
For honour, courage, strength, and hardihood. 
Yea, while we fight, the souls of heroes dead 
Will turn them backward on the way to Brahm, 



I20 YZDRA ACT III 

And think a moment of remembered fields 
Not told of more than this shall ever be. 
Attend me all : your king to conquest leads. 
All. Lead on, lead on ! 

Curtain 



Scene IV 

THE SAME AS SCENE II 

(YzDRA is reclining on a couch; the Greek slave 
girl is in attendance.) 

Slave. My Queen, I sing you now the last 
sad song 
That Sappho wrought in Lesbos, long ago. 

Yz. Oh, sing it not ! No rumour yet has come 
Of how the battle goes. I cannot heed 
Your minstrelsy when heart and ears and eyes 
Are strained to meet his tardy messenger. 

{She goes to the door and listens ; then speaks 
mechanically and rather more to herself than to the 
slave.) 

The King succeeded in his mad attempt 
To cross the swollen river. Night and storm 
But made it worse. He could not brook delay 

121 



122 YZDRA ACT III 

But would lead on, though all the elements 
Conspired with Poros darkly for his doom. 
{Enter Hefhjestion fresh from the field.) 

Heph. The field is won and Alexander comes. 

Yz. Oh gods, I give you thanks ! But is he 
safe ? 
Without a wound ? ♦ 

Heph. Without a wound he comes. 
We gained this day a greater victory 
Than Issus or Arbela. Poros lives. 

Yz. For that again I thank the holy gods. 

Heph. He fell into our hands with many 
wounds. 
The Rajah held aloof; the Prince was killed. 

Yz. The slaughter lasted long ? 

Heph. They would not yield 

Until their leader sank beneath his wounds 
And left the field ; for while his strength held out 
He led with wondrous valour, charge on charge. 

Yz. I oft have heard him called a king indeed, 



sc. IV YZDRA 123 

A man of noble bearing, strength and skill, 
One born to rule, and not to know defeat. 
Through what strange ways the gods work out 

their will ! 
Not long ago I sought to serve the State, 
And now I scarce can weep my country's doom, 
My father's bondage and my brother's death ; 
So love has changed me from the thing I was. 

{A confused shouting is heard. Heph^stion 
goes to the door. Enter soldiers half carrying the 
Brahman. He is very weak and his robes are 
stained and torn; hut the moment he sees Yzdra he 
straightens up and stands supported hy the soldiers. 
Yzdra looks at him, showing first defiance, then 
pity, followed, as he raises himself, by fear.) 

Brah. Oh thou, who workest thus thy coun- 
try's doom, 
Let horror seize thee and let darkness fall 
Upon thy lustful eyes till love be turned 
To loathing. Siva, Vishnu, Brahm, on you 



124 YZDRA ACT III 

I call to work the curse I speak, and change 

This traitor to the thing she most abhors. 

Let her in death find no forgetfulness, 

But still remember through a thousand lives 

Her crime, her scorned name, her father's woe, 

Her nation's bondage and my dying curse. 

And let her burn with passion, evermore 

Unsatisfied and seeking still the love 

That made her traitorous to King and gods. 

Let her in death — 

{A paroxysm of pain comes to him; he pauses.) 

Yz. Oh, spare me ! Spare me more ! 

Brah. Let her in death no respite gain, or peace ; 
And let her hear forevermore her name 
A word of infamy in common mouths. 

Yz. Oh, spare me ! Spare me this ! 
{Enter Alexander.) 

{He has bathed and anointed himself since the 
battle. YzDRA springs to him for protection.) 

Ah, Lover, King ! 



sc. IV YZDRA 125 

Brah. Thee too I curse. 

Alex. Nay, curse thyself, for thou 

Art author of thine own calamity. 

Brah. With cheek unblanched and bosom un- 
defiled 
I die, for I am guiltless. I alone 
Gave heed to Siva's v^^ill, for Poros scorned 
The gods, and she — 

Alex. She clove to love and honour. 

Brah. The gods have sent sv^ift vengeance, 
and the blow 
Has glanced to me, who, innocent, now die 
In their disaster whelmed. I stifle ! Air ! 
My curse be on you both. 

{He {alls to the floor. HephtESTION goes over 
and examines him to see if he is dead. Yzdra 
stands hiding her face against Alexander, who 
has one arm about her supporting her.) 

Alex. {To the soldiers.) Bear him away. 
And do you leave us too, Hephaestion. 



126 YZDRA 



ACT III 



Heph. I will, my Liege. Farewell. 

Alex. Live long, my friend. 

You have my orders, let them be fulfilled. 

(Heph^stion goes out. Yzdra raises her head 
from Alexander's shoulder and holds him at arm*s 
length. They look at each other in silence for a 
moment.) 

Alex. At last we are together, all the world 
Shut out. 

Yz. I have you with me, wholly mine. 

Alex. The Brahman's curse has made you 
pale with fear. 

Yz. I came into your arms and felt their 
strength, 
And then I did not heed him any more. 
The wound he gave is healed, and now at last 
I come to you, for I am wholly yours. 
To do with what you wish. 

Alex. My love exceeds 

The measure I had dreamed that love could fill. 



sc. IV YZDRA 127 

Yz. From conquest come, you seem a god 
indeed, 
And I a lowly worshipper who waits 
To pour the pure libation of my love 
Upon your altar. 

Alex. Nay, *tis you who seem 

Divine in giving thus divinely all 
Yourself. 

Yz. 'Tis love that makes us what we are. 

Alex. You bow my heart in giving thus 
yourself; 
I kneel as though before some awful fane, 
So pure, so dread, I dare not enter in. 
And scarcely dare to look where burning white. 
Beyond all mystery, Love sits enthroned. 

Yz. I only have a woman's heart to give — 
A simple thing and common, as it seems — 
But you give up the world, world-wide renown. 
And this, without the fruits of victory. 

(Alexander, with profound pity in his eyes, 



128 YZDRA 



ACT II! 



Opens his arms and stands waiting for her to come 

to him. She hesitates a moment.) 

You would not yield yourself for my poor sake ? 

(Alexander spreads out his arms again. His 
voice trembles a little.) 

Alex. Do you not know my love is strong as 
yours ? 

{He turns from her to conceal his emotion and 
goes to the door, lifting the flap and looking out. 
There are fading sunset clouds in the sky, and be- 
tween them shines the evening star. He fastens 
the flap so that it stays open.) 
See, evening comes and dawn will follow soon ; 
We crowd a life of passion in one night, 
So let us not delay. 

{They stand silent a moment^ 

Yz. A single night ! 

Alex. To-morrow Hesperus looks not on me; 
I bid the world farewell. You told me once 
You used to dream that souls of heroes dead 



sc. IV YZDRA 129 

Came back in sunsets. Will you feel me, Love., 
Glov^ all about you when the west is bright 
In after years ? Now quickly come to me ; 
The night is very short and death ends all. 
{He turns toward her and steps forward.) 
Yz. If you should die I could no longer live. 
{Alexander takes a scroll from his girdle.) 
Alex. I here have written out my last com- 
mands. 
Hephaestion, who thinks not of my death, 
Will come at dawn, and if I then be dead, 
This shows what course to follow. You, my 

Queen, 
Have India for your realm, and with you stay 
Some Greeks until the country owns your 

rule. 
No other way there is. Come quickly now ; 
We have so long delayed that love is pain. 

Yz. The hour I sought has come at last too 
soon. 



I30 YZDRA ACT III 

(Alexander lays his dagger on a table. A shout 
is heard in the distance?) 

What noise is that ? 

Alex, (going to the door) Some tumult in 
the camp. 
The men are revelling ; they do not guess 
That I no more shall lead to victory. 

{The watch-fires are seen through the still open 
door. The sunset has now faded from the sky. 
He stands looking out toward the camp, and Yzdra 
watches him sadly. Then she looks down at the 
dagger, starts, and looks back at him.) 
They loved me well. 

Yz. {Her voice trembles a little.) 

And you, in turn, love them ? 

Alex. They have been still my friends, and 
they with me 
Have much endured ; but now I bid farewell 
To friends and war and yield myself to love. 

{After a pause.) 



sc. IV YZDRA 131 

The men will miss me. 

{Stretching out his arms toward the camp.) 

Now farewell, farewell. 

(YzDRA suddenly reaches her decision, seizes 
the dagger and stabs herself. 

Yz. Farewell, but not to them. 

Alex. What have you done ? 

Yz. The steel works swiftly. 

{She falls.) 

Alex. Zeus ! Where is the wound .? 

{He stoops over her, examining the wound.) 

Yz. I die. 

Alex. If aught divine within me dwells, 

Oh, Ammon, Father, now in sorest need. 
Give aid unto thy son ! 

Yz. No help. I die, 

But you shall live and win the golden East. 

Alex. I care no more for conquest; all is done. 

Yz. Grieve not for me ; I loved you far too well 
To let you die. 



132 YZDRA ACT III 

Alex. Go not, go not so soon! 

Yz. I cannot stay; but you for love must 
spare 
My father and my nation. 

Alex. God ! No help ! 

One kiss ! I come with you. 

Yz. {Very wildly.) Not that ! Not that ! 

(Alexander throws himself down beside her 
and kisses her. After a pause he starts up.) 

Alex. There is no poison there ! 

Yz. Not there ! 

Alex. Too late ! 

It may be that it was not there at all. 

Yz. {With intense bitterness.) Oh God, too 
late ! too late ! 

{Slowly the bitterness leaves her face and in its 
stead comes serenity, which in turn yields suddenly 
to radiant joy.) 

You will not die ! 

{She dies. Alexander bends over her for a 



sc. IV YZDRA 133 

moment, then rises to his full height, stretching out 
his arms toward the sky.) 

Alex. Past help of gods or men, Fate works 
its will. 

THE END 



NOTE ON THE SOURCE OF "YZDRA" 

The Secreta Secretorum, the book from which the story of 
Yzdra is taken, purports to have been written by Aristotle in 
his old age as a manual of guidance for his pupil Alexander, 
and contains much curious advice on almost every subject: 
how to judge a man's character by the shape of his nose; in 
what position of the heavens it is advisable to take physic; 
how a king should comport himself under all circumstances; 
etc. The advice is given in the greatest detail and the volume 
is almost an encyclopaedia of ancient scientific and magical 
knowledge. 

At the opening is a letter from Alexander, requesting Aris- 
totle's advice, and then follows the answer in which the 
philosopher says that, as he is too old to accompany Alexander 
in his course of conquest, he will write down for him a summary 
of all his knowledge, but, lest the treatise should come into 
profane hands, he writes it as a mystery, to which Alexander 
alone shall have the key. The inference in the story of 
the poisoned maiden that Aristotle was with Alexander m 
India, is not only false in itself, but contrary to the general 
statement of the book. 

The probability as to its origin is that sometime in the 
eighth century a Syrian Christian physician collected the 
materials from Greek and other sources, and, realising m a 
quite up-to-date manner the obvious advantages of passing 
off his book as a translation of a lost work of Aristotle's, gave 
it this form. The actual composition seems to have been 
in the Syriac language, called in the text "Chalden." At a 
later date, the author himself probably translated his work 
into Arabic, and presented it with a sort of dedicatory prologue 
to some Mahomedan ruler. 

135 



136 



YZDRA 



About the year 1140, a renegade Jewish physician of Spain 
found part of the Arabic text and put it into Latin, but the 
complete Arabic text does not seem to have been translated 
until a French clerk found a copy at Antioch in the latter part 
of the twelfth, or early in the thirteenth century. This he trans- 
lated into Latin by the order of a French bishop of Tripoli, and 
his version quickly spread through Europe. It was translated 
into most of the vulgar tongues, copied from manuscript to 
manuscript, commented upon in perfect good faith, or imitated 
by many of the distinguished scholars of the time, and finally 
the invention of printing still more widely disseminated it. 
Editions were still being made in the eighteenth century. 
While the great vogue of the book during the Middle Ages and 
the Renascence was caused chiefly by the prestige of Aristotle's 
name, it is likely that its popularity was partly due to the fact 
that it could be regarded as a portion of the Alexander cycle 
of romances, then as widely known as the Charlemagne or 
Arthurian cycles. Thomas Aquinas, Roger Bacon, Michael 
Scot and Albertus Magnus all either commented upon the book 
or wrote something in a similar form, but perhaps its most no- 
table literary offspring is The Prince of Machiavelli. Finally, 
having done its work, it died ; but the story of the poisoned 
maiden, here called Yzdra, seems to have sunk into the mind 
of the race, and will perhaps be told now and again until the 
end of time. 

This story was apparently first related apart from its con- 
text, and with variations, in the Gesta Romanoruniy where the 
old monks treated it as an allegory in which Man (Alexander) 
was saved by the workings of the Holy Ghost (Aristotle's 
wisdom) from the world, the flesh, and the devil. It would be 
interesting if some one, who cared more for symbolism and 
psychology than for romance, would use the legend and inter- 
pret its latent allegory in a modern way, making the poison 
work a slow degeneration of the spirit. 

From some one of the early versions the story was taken 
by Sir Thomas Browne, who says that the poison was aconite, 



YZDRA ij- 

and by Burton, who in the Anatomy of Melancholy stated 
hat the ma,den wa. sent by Poros, giving falsely as his 
authonty Q. Curtms. She is usually known simply as the 
daughter of the K,ng or Queen of India and sometimes as the 
daughter of the Queen of the South, No trace of it appears in 

unt,l .he New England wnters took it up. It is quoted from 
the French alchem.st, Mizaldus, in Elsie Venner, the central 
■dea of wh,ch ,s identical with that version of the story given 

lell V r. ""'T' '""^ <<"''' Po^^'l'ly Hawthorne, who 
tells It in Rappacctms Daughter, developed the idea of his 

fo m, but hitherto - through twelve hundred years or more- 
did n:t'L"d i^"^'"^- '' '' ' '''' '•■" ^*"'°- « Webster 
That version of the story quoted at the beginning of the 



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